There’s something special about experiencing an event as a guest when you’re usually the one working behind the scenes.
That was the spirit of the recent industry appreciation evening at the Aga Khan Museum – an opportunity for event professionals to connect, unwind, and experience the venue from a completely different perspective. The evening brought together some of Toronto’s top event vendors, while showcasing the versatility of the event space.
For the event professionals in attendance, it was a unique opportunity to simply be a guest and enjoy what makes the Museum so distinctive. Big thanks to Mango Studios for capturing the gorgeous flow of the evening.
From the moment we arrived, the evening felt thoroughly and thoughtfully curated. Guests were welcomed with sparkling wine on The Terrace, before making their way to the venue’s latest addition: The Rose Garden Marquee. Available from May through October, this temperature controlled, tented venue is a most welcome addition for both clients and planners navigating Toronto’s unpredictable spring and fall weather.
Inside, the space had been completely transformed. The Tent is rented to the Museum clients equipped with an ivory draped ceiling and 20 statement crystal chandeliers. However, custom chocolate draping was added by Element Event Solutions, while Kaidy Decor and Leaside Flowers and Gifts brought in floral and decorative elements. Statement trees from Event Rent added height and texture, giving the space a more immersive garden feel.
The result felt less like a traditional tent and more like an intimate, elevated lounge – a great example of how much personality can be created within a blank canvas.
The ceremony setup on the Terrace was courtesy of White Rose Decor. Typically ceremonies are held in the Lavender Gardens. The gardens glowed with illumination by Mareau Candles, complemented by the gentle, sparkling atrium candle decor provided by Bare & Co..
Entertainment by Sole Power kept the atmosphere lively throughout the evening, while Topnotch Entertainment incorporated greeters and performers to create moments of surprise as guests moved through the venue.
Revolve Event Services added another interactive layer with both a photo booth and 360 video booth, giving guests a playful way to capture the evening and create something to remember.
The evening continued inside the Atrium, where soaring ceilings, natural light, and the Museum’s contemporary architecture created a completely different atmosphere.
Guests were welcomed by live music from The Digs, whose performance brought warmth and energy to the space
The Atrium is one of those spaces that needs very little embellishment. Its scale and architecture already create a sense of occasion, whether for a cocktail reception or a formal gala.
Nearby, The Oud Bar offered guests a customized fragrance experience, adding another sensory and interactive layer to the evening.
We also explored some of the Museum’s more intimate event spaces, including the Bellerive Room and the Lapis Lounge & Salon. The latter features a built-in lapis lazuli bar and sculptural spiral staircase, giving the space its own distinct personality and making it particularly well suited for cocktail receptions, VIP experiences or after-parties.
Food Dudes, the venue’s preferred caterer, impressed guests with their magic, with the scallop risotto easily becoming one of my personal favourites.
Rather than keeping the culinary experience in one place, food and entertainment were woven throughout the event, encouraging guests to explore the property instead of remaining in a single space.
The bar program was equally thoughtful, with signature drinks that gave guests both spirited and alcohol-free options. Oaxaca Peaches offered a playful cocktail choice, while the non-alcoholic Strawberry Swirl made sure the zero-proof experience felt just as considered.
Adding to the experience, Happy Pops served popsicles and ice cream from their charming ice cream cart, bringing a fun, nostalgic touch to the Atrium.
One of the sweetest moments of the evening came courtesy of the Food Dudes, who created an immersive dessert display featuring a playful mix of flavours and textures. Guests could sample Pie de Limón, Exotic Meringue, Dubai Chocolate Cupcakes, Isfahan Pavlova and Matcha Madeleines, each beautifully presented, offering another layer of discovery throughout the evening.
Perhaps what stood out most was how different the property felt as the evening unfolded. In daylight, the Museum feels bright, architectural, and serene. By sunset, the gardens soften, the reflecting pools take on a different mood, and the building itself becomes a canvas for lighting and projection.
As the evening transitioned into night, Quest Audio Visual projected visuals onto the exterior of the Museum, demonstrating how projection can become part of the event design without competing with the architecture itself. Against the clean façade of the building, the effect was simple, modern, and incredibly effective.
Most importantly, the evening showed how the Aga Khan Museum can take guests through several distinct experiences without ever leaving the property – from a garden ceremony and terrace cocktails to a transformed tented reception and a late-night celebration inside the Museum.
The Aga Khan events team set out to create an evening that would thank its partners and give them the opportunity to experience the venue as guests rather than as event professionals, and the evening did exactly that.
Sometimes, seeing a familiar space from a different perspective is all it takes to spark a great idea.
Carmen is the lead creative director and planner for Devoted To You, a wedding planning company that provide services locally and internationally. Carmen has planned weddings in exotic locations such as Italy, Thailand, Indonesia and the Caribbean and puts a stylish touch to the events she planned.